2013 EuroBasket: Ukraine create history, qualify for 2014 FIBA World Cup

Ukraine created history and shocked Italy to book their ticket to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. In the important match of the ongoing 38th edition of the FIBA Eur0Basket championship, better known as 2013 EuroBasket, Ukraine defeated Italy 66 – 58 to secure their first ever participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Italy took the first quarter 17 – 13 while Ukraine bounced back to take the second quarter 22 – 17. After the break, Ukraine were the better side as they took the remaining two quarters 16 – 14 & 15 – 10 respectively, to confirm their ticket for their historic participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Pietro Aradori netted 15 points for Italy while Eugene Jeter top scored with 20 points for Ukraine.

Despite the defeat, Italy also got a chance to qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Italy will face Serbia in the 7/8 qualification match and the winner will get the final ticket from FIBA Europe to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The championship is now in the semifinal stage. France will play Spain in the first semifinal of the championship, while Croatia will play Lithuania in the other semifinal.

The top six teams from 2013 EuroBasket – excluding Spain, as they have already qualified as hosts – will qualify for the 2014 FIBA World Cup. 24 European nations are participated in the ongoing event.